
THURSDAY JULY 27, 3:15PM
PROGRAM 38
SHORTLIST

Ham
USA / Animation / 8 minutes
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Director/Writer: Rudy Martinez
Producer: Heather B. Henson, Alex U. Griffin, Jessica Simon
Cast: Dave Carter, Zehra Fazal, Charlie Faith
The year is 1961 and Ham, a chimpanzee, has been chosen to represent earth as the first ape in space, but a malfunction aboard his ship threatens his return home. Based on true events.

Piano Man
USA / Drama / 23 minutes
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Director/Writer: Jay Zaretsky
Producer: Jay Zaretsky
Cast: Paddy Wilkins, Damian Washington, Jay Zaretsky, George Cantero
Having been struck with grief and loss, a legendary Jazz piano player retreats into an austere existence where he spends his days making music for his sick father and tuning the pianos of those who don’t truly appreciate the instrument. On this one day, Piano Man encounters Rosie, a saxophonist he used to play with back in the day. Convinced Piano Man was dead, Rosie persuades him to return to the stage one more time.

Payasam and Other Careful Processes
USA / Comedy / 11 minutes
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Director/Writer: Akshay Ravi
Producer: Alyssa Callahan, Rohan Palla, Matthew Martinez
Cast: Suraj Partha, Rishi Mehta, Usha Ravi
When he brings a girlfriend who doesn’t match his parents’ expectations to a family holiday, Sidharth and his family are forced to reckon with their conflicting values.

They Grow Up So Fast
USA / Comedy / 10 minutes
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Director/Writer: John F. Beach
Producer: Martin Spanjers
Cast: John F. Beach, Emily Althaus, Martin Spanjers
When Brian meets Amy after a night out on the town, things move a lot faster than he'd anticipated.

Stay
USA / Drama / 17 minutes
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Director/Writer: Annie Rhodes Kane
Producer: Ryan Mekenian, Sabatino Ciatti Jr.
Cast: Andrew Miller, Morgan Young, Reginald James
A veteran struggles with PTSD after losing his service dog.

Toy Phone
USA / Drama / 15 minutes
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Director: Gabe Braden
Writer: Lauren Meyering, Jack Levis, Gabe Braden
Producer: Elizabeth Murphy, Karen Pittman
Cast: Karen Pittman, Devin Looc
When her young son starts "speaking" to his recently deceased father on a toy phone, a mother is forced to confront the loss she never quite dealt with.